Creators Update: Built-in Administrator Account stuck in setup loop

cognus · 19 Aug 2017

never seen this one before, folks.
I'm trying to repair software problems with a HP x360, after Creator' Update. Apparenly the built-in Administrator Account was never setup. I invoked it "active" rebooted and accessed "Administrator" in safe mode.
It has been looping for an hour now, finally losing most of the video display - only the cursor is visible, or the trace of a touch on the touchscreen.
Anyone seen this before and what is the cause & remedy? The disk light just keeps on rolling as it tries in vain to setup

Caledon Ken · 19 Aug 2017

Hi cognus.

I believe that the built in Administrator account is normally not activated and you only activated when absolutely needed.

I would try to interrupt. As soon as you see the dots (powering up) power down by holding the power button until it is completely shutdown. Power up and do the same thing.

On the third attempt I'm hoping it will start Advance Startup Options.

Assuming you get into this menu I would fall back to a previous build (you will see red arrow in screen shots) Assuming Creator was just installed.

Boot to Advanced Startup Options in Windows 10

Then if you want to force the Creator Update I would follow this tutorial. Actually it is also a good repair process.

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

Of course another member may have an alternative approach.

If this fails I would ensure all personal data is safe by booting with this disc to copy it out.

Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk

Ken

cognus · 21 Aug 2017

Thank you Ken.
As it turned out it looked like being in Safe Mode on first-run setup complicated an already challenging file issue. I had not thought to run sfc /scannow before getting to this point. When I killed it and booted normally, the Administrator initial setup did complete, but was not healthy. odd things like trying to search using the Cortana icon simply did not respond - like disconnected. the normal left-click on the Start button similarly dead. right-click worked. etc.
ran sfc /scannow and it repaired/replaced a number of files. appears to be more normal now. as always, hindsight being 20/20 I should have burned it to the ground at the outset and clean-installed. we never what lurks til we wade in and fix enough to make it talk

Caledon Ken · 21 Aug 2017

Great. You still might want to have a look at the in place repair / upgrade. Of course if system is working then better it would be wise to leave it alone.

Ken